The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-07
SAVED HIS ENEMY.

gloomy and taciturn was he; she,
young and bright. Girl-like, she CO.
quoted with him as with others, but
he felt sure OF possessing her heart. To
the surprise OF all, ehe eloped with and
married the young and almost penni-
less Adolph Navarro.
The forsaken lover retired to his es-
tates, shut himself up in his lonely
mansion, and would see no one.
Ramona Vasquez, his best friend,
the only man who could influence
him, visited and pointed out to Comes
the unmanly part which he was act
ing, the duties he was neglecting the
suffering he was causing those depend
ent upon him, and at last won him
from his retirement, caused by n dis
appointment which could not now be
remedied, and he again took m the
concerns of business.
When told that Isabella Navarro
had been blessed by the birth OF a
daughter, "May Heaven smile upon
her" he said, but the name OF the
father was never mentioned.
Then came the insurrectlon OF
Cuba. Adolph Navarro became aeon
mander of the so-caled rebels. Cones
Joined the volunteers unuer the Span
ish flag as captain OF company, and
Raymond Nasquez was his lieutenant.
His friend was satisfied that Comes
had not Joined the volunteers so much
from regard to the mother country as
from hatred to the man who had won
his lady. His hope was now that the
chances OF war might bring him face
| to face with his successful rival. At
mention OF Navara's name his dark
eyes would CLEAN with fend-like fire.
He did his duty well and bravely;
his name was held in high repute in
Spanish headquarters. Promotion
was often offered him, but as oftenre-
fused.
BY day and by night no command
er was so eager and relentless in the
persistent pursuit and fearful punish
ment OF rebels as Comes. He and his
men were ptiless, and consented to or
took part in cruelties that will shame
the Spanish name while the memory
| OF them exists. But so far he had not
met Navarro, and his disappointment
was great.
One day in the gray of the morning,
the volunteer camp was entered by n
spy, who informed the officers that
he had traced rebel officer to a farm
house about mile distant. The vol
unteers, Comes and Nasquez in COM
mand, instantly marched to the
place; the house was surrounded and
search was commenced, fast and furi-
Gus.
No opposition was offered. The OF
| ficers remained outside. Soon the
fellow who had given the information
emerged from the house bearing in his
arms n crying child. After him, with
tottering limbs and face blanched with
terror, came n lady.
"Spare, for the love OF the Holy Nir-
gin, spare my child" was her piteous
prayer
The volunteers threatened to impale
it upon their bayonets unless she con-
fessed where the rebel was hidden.
"My child My child Do as you will
with me, only spare my child" was
her unceasing cry. No question would
she answer.
The bayonets were fixed and point.
ed the infant raised high in the arms
OF brawny ruilian, who stood as il
ready to hurl it upon the death-deal-
ing points; still the mother pleaded,
yet nothing would she reply to the re-
peated question, which, answered,
would save the life OF her child.
81 will count nine," quoth n grim
sergeant, "and then if you do not
lead us to the hiding place OF the rebel,
your child shall surely die"
He began to count slowly. She still
pleaded. She did not believe that
men could perpetrate deed so cruel.
From one face to the other she looked
as if to catch some kindly glance with
which to endorse her hope.
At last her eye fell upon the visage
OF Captain Comes, as with a dark
scowl he gazed upon her. Trembling,
grooming, well.nigh swooning, she sank
to theground, feeling that she could ex-
pect neither pity nor mercy from him
for the wife and child oiAdolph Navarro.
Yes, it was Isabella herself that he
looked upon; his hated rival and all
that were precious 10 him were at his
mercy.
Diego Comes day OF terrible ven
geance had come; he had only to re-
main silent, and retaliation-fearful
retaliation-for all that he had suffer-
ed was within his grasp.
He returned to Lieutenant Vasquez.
"You must command here" he said,